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SRQ DAILY Feb 14, 2019

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"We thought there has to be a better alternative."

- State Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota
 

[Government]  Natural Solution to Fighting Pollution?
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Could more fish and native plants curb water pollution in Florida? A new bill filed by state Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota, would require industry at least give the plan a try.

The freshman lawmaker this week put out new legislation to require Multimodal Biological Controls be attempted before polluters resort to spraying chemicals. 

“This summer, several constituents brought to our attention that the vast majority of retention ponds use herbicides to manage invasive species growth,” Good says.

That seemed especially troublesome considering how such spraying in Lake Okeechobee has led to cyanobacteria thriving in the water there, which has then fed destructive blue-green algae blooms following releases into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers. Many environmentalists see a correlation between those problems and the record red tide that happened on Florida’s west coast this year, as nutrient pollution seeped eventually into the Gulf of Mexico.

Good says her team looked for some meaningful way to curb such pollution. “We thought there has to be a better alternative,” she says.

Staff looked at examples of MBC in use in the region. For example, developments like The Landings utilize fish and plant growth in its stormwater management plans. That means complementary native species help control plants, algae and invasive exotics within the aquatic environment, and herbicides don’t have to be introduced. 

It’s a technique promoted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, which successfully fought invasive aquatic plants through the release of alligator weed flea beetles and other bugs.

Good recognizes the solution won’t work for everybody, and she doesn’t want invasive species destroying habitats either. Her bill doesn’t prohibit water pollution permits from being issued by the state, but applicants must first demonstrate MBC won’t serve as the solution to a particular problem.

The bill could have a shot at passage, considering the focus on water quality issues leading into the March legislative session. Gov. Ron DeSantis is his first days in office promised $2.5 billion will be spent on water projects in his first term, and Good wouldn’t be upset if some of that money helped implement her proposal.

“In Sarasota County, there’s also some county grant money you can get,” she says.

She hopes the organic, natural solution can help prevent future disasters like the algae issues that struck the region last year. 

Photo courtesy UF IFAS: Grass carp help stop the spread of invasive hydrilla.

[Healthcare]  Manatee Memorial Opens Biplane Interventional Radiology Suite

In an effort to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of stroke among area residents, Manatee Memorial Hospital has announced the opening of the county’s first Biplane Interventional Radiology Suite featuring the Azurion image guided therapy system from Philips Healthcare. This flexible system can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of patient conditions including stroke, cancer, biliary disease or vascular disease, using minimally invasive procedures. The catheter-based procedures are designed to reduce some of the risks and recovery time found in traditional surgical approaches. Among the many benefits of catheter-based interventions are shorter hospital stays, reduced recovery time without the pain of a large incision, and less visible surgical scarring. 

Manatee Memorial Hospital

[Law]  Getty Joins Williams Parker with Focus on Labor and Employment

Williams Parker has announced that John C. Getty has joined the firm as an associate. He focuses his practice on labor and employment. Getty represents employers regarding discrimination claims, wage and hour litigation, and investigations by regulatory agencies such as the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He has an extensive background in civil litigation, representing clients before state, federal, and administrative courts. His experience includes litigating matters related to Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). He also counsels employers on avoiding employment litigation. 

Williams Parker

[Real Estate]  RASM Releases Latest Report, Condos Hit New Sales Record

According to a report from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, 2018 reports more closed sales, an increase in overall inventory and a rise in median prices in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Condo sales outperformed single-family homes, reaching new records in closed sales. The two counties reported a combined total of 21,344 closed sales in 2018, a 6.7 percent increase from 2017. In Manatee County, single-family homes increased by 7 percent to 6,485 closed sales, while Sarasota sales increased by 0.5 percent to 7,952 closed sales.

Condo market sales increased year-over-year, with both counties reporting the highest recorded number of sales over the last ten years. Sarasota condos increased by 8.1 percent from 2017 to 4,150 closed sales. Manatee condo sales increased by 11.1 percent to 2,757 sales. The overall volume of sales for Sarasota single-family homes increased by 5.1 percent to $3.1 billion, while Manatee increased by 11 percent to $2.5 billion. As for condos, Sarasota sales volume increased by 6.7 percent to $1.5 billion, while Manatee County increased by 18.7 percent to $643.2 million. For more information and related statistics, visit the RASM website below. 

Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee

[Business]  All Faiths Announces New Board Officer and Member

All Faiths Food Bank has announced that Ben Hanan has been elected Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for a one-year term, while Dennis Doughty joins the Board for a three-year term. Nelle Miller was elected to continue as Chair, Jack Higgins as Treasurer and Susan Malloy Jones as Secretary.  Returning Board members are Tom Bernstein, Paul Cantor, Tomas Dinverno, Bart Lowther, Keith Monda, Hal Munter, Terri Vitale, Neal Vorchheimer, and Elton White.

A native of Sarasota, Hanan is an attorney with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick. Also a CPA, Hanan’s principal areas of practice include business and estate planning. Hanan is a Past Chairman of the Board of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. He currently serves on the board of Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation. Doughty retired from Booz Allen, where he held multiple positions of increasing responsibility, including President of the U.S. Government Business from 2007 to 2009 and Senior Executive Advisor from 2009 to 2013. 

All Faiths Food Bank



[TODAY]  THEATER: Mary Poppins , February 14 – March 3

Set in London, 1910, Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, guides audiences into the dysfunctional home of the Banks family, where the children have gone through numerous nannies. Mary Poppins magically flies into their lives bringing whimsy, magic and commonsense discipline for both the children and grown-ups, and everyone learns that “anything can happen if you let it.”

Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Staged Reading of "The (M)others" , February 15

“The (M)others” is a collection of excerpts from interviews conducted by Dr. Nikki Yeboah with Bay-area mothers who have lost loved ones at the hands of police. Through their stories, there is a closer to understanding of the toll police violence takes on families. The folllowing day the locations will be moved, Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center at 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

USF - Sarasota Manatee, 8350 North Tamiami Trail., Sarasota, FL

[SOON]  DANCE: Martha Graham Dance Company , February 15 – February 17

In its long-held tradition of featuring a visiting company each season, to provide audiences a different insight to the art of dance, the Sarasota Ballet presents the Martha Graham Dance Company, the oldest dance company in the States, founded by contemporary dance legend Martha Graham and called “one of the great dance companies of the world” by the New York Times.

FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival , February 15 – February 17

The 21st Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival is a three day event held at the Sarasota Fairground to benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. Bring you lawn chair and enjoy continuous live music featuring rock, blue, and country featuring national recording artist StealHeart performing Saturday, February 16th. This year's Festival includes a Sunday charity ride (open to all vehicles), vendors, freestyle acts, a motorcycle & truck show, burnout competition, great food, and much more! Admission is $5, children 12 and under free. $10 three day passes and VIP tickets may be purchased online in advance at thunderbythebay.org.

Sarasota Fairgrounds

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Night for the Agricultural Museum , February 16

The Manatee County Agricultural Museum presents Night for the Museum. The evening will feature a live and silent auction, a cash bar, and barbecue dinner. Dress is jean casual.

Woman's Club of Pametto, 910 6th Street W., Palmetto

[SOON]  SEMINAR: The Business of Artificial Intelligence , February 21

Speakers, Dr. Ehsan Sheybani and Sarah Gentry will present a seminar that will introduce different topics in artificial intelligence, including components such as: Wireless mobile applications, A.I. in eco-arts education, pattern recognition or generation, visualization, image processing, video/image editing, audio visual media, data analytics and voice recognition.

USFSM - Selby Auditorium, 8350 North Tamiami Trl.,Sarasota

[SOON]  GALA: Starry Night Soiree , February 23, 6:00PM

Celebrate the wonder and magic of the cosmos, accompanied by a gourmet dinner, live auctions, dancing and more!

Funds raised at this special event help make a local impact and support essential American Cancer Society programs, services and extensive research for all cancers in all stages of life. The American Cancer Society’s Starry Night Soiree will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with a pre-event reception which includes a silent auction followed by an elegant dinner, a live auction, and incredible entertainment. 

The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Fine Arts Festival of Manatee County , February 23

This annual festival celebrates its 18th annual Festival featuring local and regional artists. All media. Held at Bradenton Rivewalk in the pavilion area.

[SOON]  FILM: African Diaspora Film Festival – Tongues United by Marlon Riggs , February 26

Filmmaker Marlon Riggs, winner of the Los Angeles Film Critics Award, and Best Documentary prize at the Berlin Film Festival, is as relevant as ever. The film gives a voice to communities of gay black men, presenting their cultures and perspectives on the world as they confront racism, homophobia and marginalization.

Academic Center – ACE 115, 5800 Bay Shore Rd.,Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: The Sleeping Beauty , February 27

The Sleeping Beauty, a crowning jewel of Marius Petipa’s career, is often considered the finest achievement of the Classical ballet. It is a grandiose and refined blending of the traditional mime, expressive pas d’action and spectacular divertissements in a lavish theatrical setting and set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score. 

Van Wezel, 777 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota,

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Black Literature Read-In , February 28

The read-in is an event where members of the NCF community read aloud inspirational texts written by Black authors. Wes Bellamy is the youngest person to ever be elected to the Charlottesville City Council and was involved with the initiative to move the Confederate statue.

Jane Bancroft Cook Library , 5800 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Russian Folk Music and Dance , February 28

This interactive program of popular Russian and folk songs from the Barynya Russian Balalaika Duo incorporates colorful costumes and dance into a full experience. Highlights include “Tara’s Theme” from Dr. Zhivago, the Russian Gypsy dance “Two Guitars,” the “Cossack Dance,” “Moscow Nights,” “Kalinka” a charming “Tongue Twister Medley” and more. Instrument highlights include the balalaika, garmoshka and contrabass.

Michael's on East ballroom, 1212 South East Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: SRQ Media's ProjecTHINK Conference , March 1 – March 2, March 1, 5:30-7pm — March 2, 8:30am-1pm

Join SRQ MEDIA for PROJECTHINK, a collaborative community initiative designed to explore the world of innovation and creativity in learning. PROJECTHINK is a two-day conference hosted at the Ringling College of Art and Design on March 1-2, 2019. The conference kicks off on Friday March 1 from 5:30-7pm with celebrated TEDx keynote speaker and global education innovator Ismet Mamnoon, followed by presentations from Dr. Larry Thompson, Ringling College of Art and Design; Jennifer Vigne, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, and Chris Laney, CareerSource Suncoast. On Saturday March 2 from 8:30am to 1pm, PROJECTHINK opens the world of creativity through hands-on engagement through creativity workshops and immersive workshops that transform the creative process facilitated by Ringling College faculty. The conference concludes with Lunch on the Lawn from 1-2pm, featuring local food trucks. PROJECTHINK is produced by SRQ MEDIA in partnership with the Ringling College of Art + Design, the Education Foundation of Sarasota, and CareerSource Suncoast.

Ringling College of Art and Design Campus, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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